Spring Football Camp Review - Offense

Dan Welch

06/06/2003

This article is the second of a two-part review of the Rutgers football team as it finished spring camp. This review is intended as a companion piece to my spring preview series. I will review developments in camp, revisit issues raised in my previews, and present my vision of the two-deep roster. I reviewed the defense first. Now, I will review the offense.

SPRING FOOTBALL CAMP REVIEW – OFFENSE

This article is the second of a two-part review of the Rutgers football
team as it finished spring camp. This review is intended as a companion
piece to my spring preview series. I will review developments in camp,
revisit issues raised in my previews, and present my vision of the two-deep
roster. I reviewed the defense first. Now, I will review the
offense. The view of spring ball from my vantage point 2,500 miles away
was not a good one so I've had to base my "observations" and conclusions upon
newspaper articles, message board reports, and email correspondence.
The original text from the preview is presented in bold
italics.

Last season, the offensive was statistically the worst in
Division IA football. Rutgers was ranked #116 (out of 117 Division IA
teams) in rushing offense (52 yards per game), #117 in total offense (214 yards
per game), and #117 in scoring offense (14 points per game). The passing
game was the least unproductive element of the offense, ranking #97 nationally
(162 yards per game). The offense was a comedy of errors. Other than
a glimmering half here and there, the offense was a mess. The total
failure in every aspect of the offense resulted in the departure of Offensive
Coordinator Bill Cubit, the hiring of former Utah OC Craig Ver Steeg as the new
OC, the demotion of OLine Coach Joe Susan, and the promotion of former TE Coach
Mario Cristobal to OLine Coach.

Rutgers has been a pass-oriented team during the previous seven
seasons. The replacement of Cubit with Ver Steeg likely will alter that
philosophy. Ver Steeg has stated that he wants to build the offense around a
power running game and a timing passing game. New staff and new players
face the challenge of reanimating a lifeless offense.

The offense struggled throughout spring camp as it assimilated the new
schemes and plays while it tried to compensate for an ongoing shortage of
healthy OL. In three scrimmages, each approximately a full game for the
entire offensive unit (and only a half for the 1st team), the offense scored
only three TDs. Both the running game and passing games showed glimpses of
promise, but each also had some dismal displays. The OLine is still
suspect and still holds the fate of the offense.

In the first scrimmage, the running game was generally stymied except for a
40-yard TD run. However, the QBs combined to complete 23 of 35 passes
(66%). Neither passing yardage nor sack totals were reported. Given
the low completion percentage a year ago (45%), the passing game started spring
surprisingly effective.

In the second scrimmage, the polarity was reversed. The rushing game
reportedly averaged 2.5 yards per carry. Not very impressive at first
glance. But look a little deeper. Ver Steeg called 34 designed
running plays and 36 designed passing plays. Yet only 24 passes were
attempted. The other 12 designed passing plays resulted in 9 sacks (for
minus 51 yards) and apparently 3 scrambles. Therefore, if yard per carry
average included sacks and scrambles, the offense gained 115 yards on 46
carries. Excluding sacks, the running backs gained 166 yards on 37 carries
(4.5 yards per carry), which includes 3 QB scrambles for an unreported
amount. If the assumptions that underlie these estimates are correct, then
the ground game had a strong day. Contrarily, the passing game was a
disaster. The QBs completed only 11 of 24 attempts (42%) and were sacked 9
times. The only bright spots were completions of 28 and 40 yards.
Otherwise, the QBs were rendered ineffective by the tremendous pass rush they
received. The OLine had a very rough day at the office.

The team was divided into two squads for the Spring Game. And the
performances of the two offenses couldn't have been any more different than
scarlet and white. The Scarlet offense, which was stocked with
predominantly 1st team players, scored TDs on its two opening drives before
sputtering with the backups, including walk-ons, on the field. The White
offense never got untracked. The playcalling favored passes (56% designed
passes vs 44% designed runs). The RBs combined to gain only 49 yards on 28
carries. The QBs combined to complete only 10 of 27 passes (37%) for 161
yards. The pass protection was generally poor, especially off the edges,
as the QBs were sacked three times and forced to scramble five times.

BIG PICTURE ISSUES

New OC Craig Ver Steeg has promised a timing passing game to
complement a power running game. What will the new offense look like and
how will it differ from the horizontal passing game and finesse running game
that was so ineffective under former OC Bill Cubit?
Cubit's offense consisted primarily of slow-developing plays that often were
handicapped by a bad OLine and a lack of athleticism at the skill
positions. Opponents frequently blew up running plays in the backfield and
applied unbearable pressure on the QB. Short passes typically gained
little yardage after the catch because the receivers weren't running upfield
when they the caught the ball. Ver Steeg has simplified the blocking
schemes for the OLine to camouflage their deficiencies. Zone blocking and
quick hitting isolation runs are giving the RBs the opportunities to gain a
little yardage. The passing game relies heavily upon the TEs and
RBs. Ver Steeg attacked the middle of the field with short and medium
crossing routes, forcing the LBs to respect multiple responsibilities.
This aspect of the offense was noticeably lacking under Cubit and was the source
of some of the harshest criticism of the former OC.

Nagging injuries and ineffective play prompted Head Coach Greg
Schiano to use seven different starting lineups on the OLine last season.
None worked. How healthy is the OLine? The health of SR OG Rich
McManis and RS Fr OG Randy Boxill particularly will be something to watch.
Can the OLine provide better protection for the QBs and open holes for the
RBs? The OLine is still a mess. Not one starter in
spring camp was an incumbent. The three returning starters missed camp
with injuries – RS Sr RG Brian Duffy (knee), RS Sr C Marty P'zmuka (wrist), and
RS So LG Sameeh McDonald (back). McManis participated throughout camp
although his durability will be an ongoing issue. Boxill, on the other
hand, has not yet fully recovered from his knee injury although he participated
in camp. Fortunately, no new injuries occurred and Schiano muddled through
camp with nine scholarship OL and a walk-on (Jr OT Dan Biernacki). Pass
protection by the OLine was still problematic. Especially at OT – too much
pressure off the edges. The running game also struggled. Spring camp
did nothing to bolster a unit that has lacked continuity, much less
effectiveness.

Two years ago, Schiano inherited a team without an experienced
QB. After losing to transfers three QBs in two years, he enters his third
spring camp back where he started. Does the QB situation look
improved? Can the QBs complete at least 50% of their passes? Can the
QBs throw fewer INTs than TDs? Can the QBs complete passes to receivers
downfield? Two years later, Schiano at last has a QB.
One that isn't the son of a coach. So Ryan Hart is clearly superior to any
QB in the program and confidently led the offense in the Spring Game.
However, after Hart, the QB situation is still dire. Overall, the QBs
completely 51% of their passes but threw more INTs (at least 3) than TDs
(zero). Hart showed the ability to complete deep passes, which should
deter secondaries from sitting on the short routes.

The receiving corps again was notable last season for its
inability to make plays. The WRs lacked the athleticism needed to execute
former OC Bill Cubit's horizontal passing game. There isn't a single
senior on the receiving corps. No returning player has started more than
six games. The receivers are now all Schiano's recruits - the first such
position to bear that distinction. They will be competing for fewer
positions, fewer snaps, and fewer throws. How will they adapt to the new
offensive philosophy? Can the WRs and TEs start making
plays? The WRs had an unremarkable spring. Other than
So Shawn Tucker, no WR was notable. The TE will be featured heavily in
this offense, much as they were for Jimmy Johnson's Dallas Cowboys. RS Fr
Clark Harris emerged as the biggest playmaker at TE.

How will the power running style of So TB Jason Nugent fair in
contrast with more finesse styles of RS So TB Clarence Pittman and So TB Markis
Facyson? Injuries to Facyson (knee) and Nugent (ankle)
hindered this evaluation. However, the slashing styles of Jr Marcus Jones
and Nugent seemed to be more successful than the elusive styles of Pittman and
Facyson.

The FB did not pose a threat that defenses were forced to
honor. How will Ver Steeg use the FB? Defenses will
have to account for the FB. The FBs had almost half as many touches in the
Spring Game (7) as they did all of last season (19). The FB will
occasionally run trap plays inside and will be targeted as receivers on drag
routes into the flat. RS Fr Brian Leonard also offers the flexibility to
serve in a one-back offense, much as Tennessee FB Troy Fleming did against
Rutgers last season.

Blitz protection by the TBs was still a problem last season and
will be an interesting topic for observation during spring
camp. The defense played very basic schemes in spring camp,
with little blitzing. Therefore, the effectiveness of blitz protection
could not be evaluated. However, the performance of the OLine indicated
that it will need all the help that it can get.

Lack of quality depth on the OLine was another tremendous
problem last season. Again. Questionable talent in the 2000 and 2001
recruiting classes has compounded an inherited lack of depth. Schiano
relied primarily upon an 8-man rotation last season. It will be
interesting to observe the OL rotations in spring ball. How will the
entire second team perform relative to the first team? Depth
is still a major concern on the OLine. Quality depth is sheer fantasy at
this time. Schiano barely fielded a two-deep and needed a walk-on to do
so. Much of the offensive struggles can still be traced to the
OLine. Too many sacks and too few yards per carry. The second unit,
consisting of LT Dan Biernacki, LG Randy Boxill, RS So C Mark Segaloff, RS So RG
Mike Clancy, and RS Jr RT Rob Dinsmore represented a huge dropoff from the 1st
team. The OLine lineups for the Spring Game are not available.
However, the White OLine was beat up and had its lunch money stolen. Their
lack of resistance made RS So DE Piana Lukabu look like an All-Big East
performer. Three returning starters missed spring camp. Their
presence was dearly missed. JUCO OT Ron Green will also be needed as an
immediate contributor next season. RS So RT John Glass and Jr RG Clint
Dato provided the best performance while anchoring the right side of the
OLine.

DEPTH CHART

The OT jobs are both open. Will newcomers seize both of
these crucial jobs? John Glass spent most of spring camp as
the starting RT. Ironically, Glass played OG at New Haven.
Surprisingly, with more depth at OG than at OT despite injuries, former JUCO RT
Clint Dato spent most of spring camp at OG. Sr Mike Williamson inherited
the starting LT job by default. The starting OTs were still undecided at
the close of camp because Glass and Dato switched positions for the Spring Game
while Williamson was manhandled at LT.

With Brian Duffy unavailable, the OG jobs are also wide
open. Who among Sameeh McDonald, Clint Dato, Randy Boxill, or Mike
Williamson will emerge as the starting OGs? McDonald missed
spring camp with an injured back – the fourth OL to sustain a back injury in two
years under Schiano. Boxill has not fully recovered from reconstructive
knee surgery and Schiano doesn't expect him to make an impact next season.
Williamson spent spring camp at LT. Dato spent most of spring camp at OG
although he played RT in JUCO. John Glass also saw some action at OG,
where he played at New Haven. Rich McManis, written off as a backup, spent
spring camp as the starting LG. With McDonald and Duffy sidelined
indefinitely, Dato and McManis temporarily are the starting OGs.

With four young TBs competing for the starting job, who will
emerge as the first and second team TBs? Markis Facyson
sprained his knee early in camp and missed the remaining practices. Jason
Nugent started camp strongly but a sprained ankle subsequently limited his
effectiveness. Marcus Jones surprisingly was the most consistent runner
and best performer in the new offense. Clarence Pittman emerged by default
as the backup TB.

How many 3rd and 4th year players will contribute meaningfully
on the depth chart? Only six 3rd and 4th year players will
contribute meaningfully. Only four – LG Rich McManis, LT Mike Williamson,
RS So WR Tres Moses, and TB Marcus Jones – are listed as starters and none might
actually start. RS Sr QB Ted Trump and TB Clarence Pittman will likely
contribute as backups. This small group will be augmented by the healthy
return of C Marty P'zmuka, RG Brian Duffy, and LG Sameeh McDonald and by the
likely switch of Jr Chris Baker back to WR.

Lack of quality depth at receiver, relative to the performance
of the first team, was a major problem last season and likely won't be resolved
until the arrival of some highly touted new recruits in summer
camp. The best performance for the passing offense occurred
in the first scrimmage. However, the performance of the WRs was not
reported. The passing game was non-existent in the second scrimmage except
for one completion to a WR for 40 yards (and another to a TB for 28) because the
OLine couldn't protect the QBs. The Scarlet team exhibited an impressive
passing display in the Spring Game but the WRs combined for only 3 receptions
and 47 yards. The WRs on the White team were held without a catch.
With the exception of Shawn Tucker, the WRs were unremarkable. Tucker and
Tres Moses were not seriously challenged for their starting jobs.
Especially with Chris Baker practicing at QB.

Will RS Fr Anthony Cali pass Ted Trump on the depth
chart? This looked like a no-brainer. But, in one of
the big disappointments of spring camp, Cali couldn't displace an unimpressive
Trump as the backup QB. Cali played only two series in the spring game –
one of which ended the first half. He completed no passes in three
attempts, scrambled twice, and was sacked once. That's zero completions in
6 designed passing plays. Cali is still learning and likely won't be ready
for at least another year.

TWO DEEP

Here's the two-deep, from my perspective, at the end of spring camp.
Players who missed the entire camp have been dropped from the two-deep under the
theory that they will have to work their way back into the rotation.
Players who missed only some portion of spring camp are included in the
two-deep. Their location is based upon their actual place in the rotation
during the spring, which may have been limited by the
injuries.

The injury situation on the OLine is crucial. Yet again. None of
the backups listed above are likely to contribute next season. Therefore,
reinforcements are urgently needed. Marty P'zmuka should be fully healed
from wrist surgery by summer camp. Schiano desperately needs full
recoveries from Brian Duffy (knee) and Sameeh McDonald (back). The long
anticipated arrival of JUCO OT Ron Green is also essential. Green
reportedly has qualified. The addition of these four would give Schiano a
9-man OLine rotation.

The depth at QB is tenuous. At best. Ryan Hart is clearly the
starter and the best QB that Rutgers has had since Mike McMahon departed.
However, neither Anthony Cali nor Chris Baker were able to unseat Ted Trump as
the backup QB. And Trump performed terribly last season, with the sole
exception being against Army, who one fan labeled as a glorified flag football
team.

The WR position is frantically in need of an infusion of talent. The
return of Chris Baker to WR would help. As should the arrival of JUCO
Donnie Diaz and freshman Marcus Daniels.

The backfield still has not sorted itself out. Some of that confusion
reflects the ongoing depth, talent, and injury problems on the OLine.
Brian Leonard won the starting FB job. Jr Cedric Brown apparently is the
backup and definitely is the short yardage blocking FB. Schiano ought to
move RS So FB Brad Cunningham back to LB where his experience and athleticism is
sorely needed. While Marcus Jones had the best spring among the TBs, the
pecking order at TB is not yet solidified. Furthermore, the glut at TB –
with two more arrivals expected this fall – demands that Schiano move players to
defense to bolster a depleted secondary.

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

The development and progress of the following players will be interesting to
observe:

The departure of Ryan Cubit has largely cemented Ryan Hart as
the QB of the future. Hart can secure that position in spring
camp. Hart cemented it. Welded it. Epoxied
it. Fused it. All hopes at QB rest with Hart, who was the only QB to
enjoy a strong spring. Hart capped his spring performance with an
encouraging 7 of 12 for 102-yard effort for the Scarlet team in the Spring
Game. The five INCs included two dropped passes, too. Rutgers should
have a more capable passing attack than it mustered the previous two
years. Even without any improvement on the OLine.

With a crowded backfield of young TBs expected to get more
crowed in summer camp, don't be surprised to see Marcus Jones switched to
safety. Or possibly transfer. Or just win the starting
TB job. Jones was the biggest surprise of spring camp. Written off
as a 4th string TB, Jones thrived in the new offense. He was the leading
rusher during camp, – gaining 111 yards on 28 carries (4.0 yards per
carry). His slashing style seems suited to the power running game Ver
Steeg desires. Based upon his spring performance, the starting TB job is
Jones' to lose.

If new OC Ver Steeg uses 2TE formations, Clark Harris should
have an opportunity to contribute next season. Harris will
contribute regardless of formation. Along with QB Ryan Hart, Harris was
the co-star of the Spring Game with 3 receptions for 62 yards for the Scarlet
team. Harris showed the ability to gain yardage after the catch. His
Spring Game performance may have earned him the starting TE job. He will
be an integral part of the offense.

Jason Nugent will be vying for the starting TB job in spring
camp. Nugent offers a power running dimension that both Clarence Pittman
and Markis Facyson lack as TBs. Nugent sprained his ankle
midway through camp. He was ineffective in the Spring Game, gaining 2
yards on 4 carries for the White team. However, he had the best run in
camp, breaking a 40-yard TD run in the first scrimmage. With no clear
choice emerging at TB, Schiano may move Nugent to safety, where he likely would
start alongside Jarvis Johnson.

Jr Chris Loomis is expected to earn the open starting job at
TE. He has some big shoes to fill in replacing LJ
Smith. Reports about TE performance were generally lacking
during spring camp. Until the Spring Game, when the TEs starred.
Although Loomis caught one pass for 21 yards, he dropped two passes.
Loomis quite possibly lost his claim to the starting job. At least
temporarily.

With the switch of former starter Ray Pilch to TE, Brian Leonard
will battle for the starting FB job. Leonard earned the
starting FB job midway through camp and held it. He had 5 carries for the
Scarlet team in the Spring Game but only gained 7 yards. He did score a TD
on the second drive. He also had a 12-yard reception on the opening TD
drive. Leonard also was used as the RB in a one-back formation.

Clarence Pittman enters spring camp expected to battle Markis
Facyson and Jason Nugent for the starting TB job. Pittman
was one of only two TBs to remain healthy during camp. His running was
unremarkable. He gained only 17 yards on 7 carries for the Scarlet team in
the Spring Game but did contribute 20 yards and a 1-yard TD on 4 carries during
the opening drive. Pittman was the most effective receiver out of the
backfield with a 28-yard screen pass in the second scrimmage and an 8-yard
reception for the Scarlet team in the Spring Game on the opening TD drive.
Pittman could be motioned as a WR in a two-back set, leaving Brian Leonard as
the sole RB.

Markis Facyson enters spring camp in a three-way battle for the
starting TB job. Facyson sprained his knee early in camp and
missed the remaining practices and scrimmages. He should be healthy by
summer camp and will look to regain the starting TB job he held for five games
last season.

Randy Boxill is nearly healed from a knee injury and has an
extra year of strength and conditioning behind him. Boxill likely will
compete for one of the two open starting jobs at OG. Boxill
entered spring camp not yet fully recovered. Not having played or
practiced in two years, the rust was considerable. Schiano frankly
acknowledged that Boxill likely would not contribute this season. Boxill
must focus on fully rehabilitating his knee and improving his physical
conditioning. Then he can worry about cracking the playing rotation.

Schiano switched Brad Cunningham to FB in a desire to upgrade
the athleticism at the position. Given the lack of athleticism and
experienced playmakers at LB, this move is questionable. I am disappointed
that Cunningham won't be playing LB, where I know he can make a
difference. Cunningham may yet play LB. Cunningham
didn't win the starting FB job. He will share backup FB responsibilities
with Cedric Brown. Schiano should move Cunningham back to LB where he can
augment a group that lacks experienced talent. West Virginia, Virginia
Tech, and Pittsburgh each featured QBs who posed a substantial running threat
that defenses were forced to consider. Can Chris Baker pose such a
double-threat at Rutgers? Yes. And no. While Baker's
athleticism offers intriguing double-threat possibilities, Baker's throwing
mechanics presently preclude the realization of those possibilities.
Baker's arm has been questionable since he arrived at Rutgers. Not for
lack of strength, though. Baker has the strongest throwing arm among the
Rutgers QBs. However, he is the least accurate passer. These
mechanics problems limit Baker's opportunities to get on the field and prove
that he can handle the other aspects of the QB position – leading the offense,
reading defenses, and making good decisions. Baker saw action for the
White team in only two series in the Spring Game. One of those series
started on the White 2 yard line. Baker threw only one pass – incomplete –
and didn't carry the ball at all. While Baker's throwing mechanics could
be improved with additional coaching, the time spent in development could be
better served contributing on the field at WR. Especially if Ryan Hart is
clearly a superior option at QB, even without the double-threat
possibility.

With the switch of Chris Baker back to QB for spring camp, Shawn
Tucker is a lock for a starting job at WR. At least until summer camp
starts. Tucker was the lone bright spot at WR. Tucker
has the ability to be the best playmaker Rutgers fans have seen in years.
Admittedly, that's not saying much. But Tucker impressed those that saw
him. Mike Fasano raved about Tucker in his Spring Game report.
Tucker showcased his big play ability during camp with receptions for 31 and 40
yards.

Tres Moses qualified for a medical redshirt and is healthy
entering spring camp. He is expected to start opposite of Shawn Tucker at
WR. He will face more competition in summer camp from several highly
touted recruits. Moses was unremarkable in spring camp, much
as he was a year ago. He was shutout in the Spring Game as a member of the
White team. With Moses unnoticeable yet not being pushed for his job, I am
concerned about the talent level at WR entering summer camp.

Rich McManis likely will continue in a backup
role. Wrong, Earthling. Although McManis' knees are
still problematic, as Schiano noted in his pre-camp press conference, Schiano
lauded McManis as one of the most improved players in spring camp. If
Duffy cannot return from his knee injury (or his return is delayed or hampered),
McManis may start at LG. Otherwise, he will be a primary backup.

RS Jr Ray Pilch likely will be the 2TE in a power running
formation, much as Bryan Boehrer was last season. I don't
recall seeing any reports on Pilch's performance during spring camp. As a
member of the White team, Pilch was shutout during the Spring Game, when the TEs
were the primary targets. Don't expect Pilch to get anywhere near the
touches he had last season (19).

Ted Trump is the most experienced QB but he is destined for a
backup role. If he even returns next summer. Bringing back a
5th-year player to be the third string QB makes no sense.
Back Trump will come next year because the other backups couldn't displace him
despite a lackluster spring. Trump completed only 1 of 7 pass attempts for
the White team in the Spring Game. He also threw an INT that was returned
for a TD on the opening drive of the game. With Hart learning a new
offense and still gaining experience, Trump won't get much opportunity to hone
his skills early in the year against weaker competition. Therefore, he is
not likely to improve much over last season.

Cedric Brown will be the third team FB and short yardage
specialist by the end of spring camp. Maybe not. Brown
is the best blocker at FB. That will get him on the field, both in
short-yardage situation and possibly obvious passing situations. Brown may
get the backup nod if Schiano is unwilling to have Brad Cunningham play
sparingly as a backup FB when he could be contributing more as a backup
LB.

In the absence of injured two-year starter Marty P'zmuka, RS Fr
William Vogt will compete for the temporarily open starting job at
center. Vogt won the starting job easily and held it through
camp. He should return to the backup role when P'zmuka returns but Vogt is
expected to play next season.

The switches of Chris Baker to QB and RS So Bryan Wilson to DB
have given So Corey Barnes a backup WR job by default. Will he be able to
hold that position on the depth chart once summer camp
starts? Barnes made a 10-yard reception on the opening TD
drive for the Scarlet team in the Spring Game. Barnes also threw an INT on
a flanker reverse pass when he underthrew a receiver open by 10 yards.
Barnes, like most of the WRs, was otherwise generally unnoticeable in the
scrimmages.

Jr Jerry Andre has not contributed much in two years despite
plenty of opportunities. While he is guaranteed a spot on the two-deep in
spring camp, if he can't maintain that position in summer camp, he likely won't
contribute much next season. Andre was nearly invisible
during spring camp. He was shutout in the Spring Game as a member of the
White team.

Six different players started at OG last season yet Mike Clancy,
the designated backup, was not one of them. Clancy is only a 3rd-year
player but those circumstances raise serious questions about his ability to
contribute. Despite the absences of both Brian Duffy and
Sameeh McDonald from spring camp, Clancy was not able to earn a starting job at
OG. Holdover Rich McManis and newcomer Clint Dato beat Clancy for the
available starting jobs. Barring further injuries, Clancy apparently won't
play much this season.

Sr Eddie Jordan was buried on the depth chart as a result of
practice time lost to injuries. Jordan is not expected to contribute this
season. Jordan had a relatively quiet spring. However,
he did record the only reception in the Spring Game for the White team, which
struggled to move the football. Jordan is clearly behind Clark Harris,
Chris Loomis, and Ray Pilch on the depth chart.

While Mark Segaloff may yet develop into a serviceable player,
he is not expected to break the two-deep this year. William
Vogt beat Segaloff for the starting job at center. The expected return of
Marty P'zmuka should push Segaloff off the depth chart.

Rob Dinsmore's inability to crack the starting lineup as a
3rd-year player during an injury-plagued season is damning evidence against
him. Dinsmore likely will be relegated to the third team by summer
camp. As with Clancy at OG, Dinsmore was unable to win
either vacant starting OT job. Fellow holdover Mike Williamson and
newcomer John Glass were the starters. Dinsmore likely won't play much
this season.

Coming Next: Plan B. The Big East is about to implode.
It has been obvious for several weeks that Miami, Syracuse, and Boston College
are leaving the Big East. What are the available alternatives for the
surviving members?